“Fit is very important,” Linda Carlson, paralegal and caseworker at A Baby Step Adoption, said about placing parents with a child. The agency provides families with as much information as they can gather about the biological parents.

The domestic adoption agency offers services like full service adoption, individual caseworkers, counseling and support.

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Through A Baby Step Adoption agency, eight families were able to finalize their adoptions Oct. 16 at the Berks County Courthouse bySenior Judge Arthur E. Grim.

In the entire month of October, A Baby Step assisted with 15 adoptions.

Annually, there are around 60 to 80 adoptions through the agency.

Laura and Bryan Spencer, Avendale, chose adoption because they were unable to have their own children.

“We were trying to have our own children,” Laura Spencer said, but with no results of pregnancy, the Spencers said they “could keep moving on or try a different path.”

“We knew they’re going to be our own children whether they’re naturally from us or not,” Spencer said.

The couple looked into adoption and found A Baby Step Adoption. “They had a good statistic of successful matching,” she recalled.

The Spencers started the adoption process just one year ago, and for them, the adoption process was very quick. This is not the case for all adoptive parents.

The couple was matched with the birth mother in March, Logan was born in May. The Spencers officially adopted Logan, 5 1/2 months old, on Oct. 16, but have had him with them, in their home, since his birth.

“We are very, very happy. Logan has no issues health wise, he’s the perfect little boy,” his mother said.

The adoption process can be rigorous, as the agency needs to complete a home study and background checks.

But The Spencers strongly encourage any one considering adoption to find an agency and ask questions.

“Definitely look into it. Go to an agency. The agency we had was wonderful. They are so passionate about their work and want to [place] parents with a child,” Spencer said.

Like the Spencers, the McAfees also looked to adoption because they were unable to have children naturally.

“Adoption was an easy decision,” Kristine McAfee said. “We realized we weren’t going to have our own, and considered adoption in the future.”

Kristine and Dayne McAfee, Pottstown, officially adopted Avery, 4 months old, on Oct. 16. The couple got to be at the hospital for the birth.

The McAfees suggest getting to know other couples who have gone through adoption, if you are considering it as an option.

“It helps the more information you know, the more informed you are,” McAfee said. The couple initially went through a failed adoption.

“It’s not easy but it’s worth it in the end,” McAfee said. “Everyone around us knew, which helped, to have a support system.”

Through the adoption agencies, support groups are also available.

Even with support from family and friends, the adoption process can be difficult.

One family came all the way from Connecticut for their adoption.

Sasha and Chris Hemingway adopted twins Jase Logan and Abigail Grace, born in June at Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood.

The Hemingways started with the agency in August and were matched with the birth parents in February. The couple’s experience with adoption is unique as they were adopting from a married couple.

But with expecting twins at the ages of 19 and 23, they knew they could not provide financially for the twins.

“We have so much love and respect for [the birth parents.] We could never do this ourselves. It’s because of them that we have a family,” Sasha Hemingway said.

The Hemingways and the birth parents have a close relationship and would get together to hangout and get to know one another prior to the birth.

“We knew it was twins from the beginning,” Hemingway said. “But a boy and a girl -- it was the answer to our prayers.”

The couple even took the birth mother to the hospital when she was in labor.

For families considering adoption, Chris Hemingway says “Do it.”

The Hemingways and the birthday parents “feel blessed” by each other and have a very symbiotic relationship.